Response One 11/10/09Chapters 1-3
In a well written paragraph tell the differences between the greasers and the socs. Use the book with page numbers and paragraph numbers.

The differences between the Greasers and the Socs are money, looks, and feelings. The Socs looks are different from Greasers because the Socs dress better by wearing madras shirts and loafers which is a nicer look than what the Greasers wear which is black leather jackets, dirty T-shirts, and they would never get caught wearing loafers. The Greasers have their hair long and greased back and it usually isn't clean. The Socs are much richer than the Greasers, and they show it by the way they dress, the cars they drive, and the way they act. The Socs and Greasers feelings are different because the Socs are very insincere. They pretend to be polite around adults and officials but are not at all like that around their friends and the Greasers. In conclusion, the Socs and Greasers are very different.
~ Very thorough answer! Wonderful! ~Mrs. Best


Response # 2 11/12/09


You have been asked to come and speak to the kids in both gangs. What could you say to them that would incorporate your values as a Catholic to help them resolve their differences?

If I was asked to speak to the kids in both gangs and I had a chance to say what I think as a Catholic I would tell them that what they are doing is wrong. There is no reason for the socs to be going around jumping people when they have done nothing wrong. It is not wrong to have different groups but the way that the groups treat one another is whats wrong. I would tell them that God does not approve of killing people and beating them up for no reason. I would say that they need to pray to feel better instead of beating others up and that God will guide them to the right path. I think that those words would have a big influence on their lives.

~ Good. Would talk to them about Jesus? What was His position on violence? He is the heart of our faith, yes? Maybe it would be good to tell them what He stood for. ~Mrs. Best

Hi it's Kathleen!
I think that you worded it very well. Also that you tied up everything that the question states.

Week 2


B. Explain what Ponyboy finds out about Randy and the other Socs at the end of Chapter 7.


When Randy, the Soc, tells Ponyboy, the Greaser, at the end of Chapter 7 that he won't be in the rumble Ponyboy doesn't understand why. Randy says that there is no reason for people to be fighting and killing each other. I agree with Randy because there is no reason for them to be killing people or beating them up. There still will be the Socs and the Greasers, but there won't be as much crimes and fighting going on. Randy says he is going to run away because he doesn't want to stay and not be in the fight and be called a wimp but he also doesn't want to take place in the fight. If I were Randy I would probably do the same thing, run away from the fights. Randy also tells Ponyboy about Bob and how he was a good guy. He told him that Bob's parents spoiled Bob and that he just wanted someone to say no and to lay down the law.
~ That is what happened, but what effect do you think this had on Pony? What did he come to realize after this? ~Mrs. Best


This is an AMAZING paragraph that you typed McKenzie. It has a lot of detail and tells me alot about your point of veiw of how you think of Ponyboy's expression. I thought he understood, but since I read your paragraph, I now know that you were right and I was wrong. ~Nik Roels

~ I agree with you Nik that Pony does understand. ~Mrs. Best
B. Explain what Two-Bit means when he says: "The only thing that keeps Darry from being a Soc is us."

When Two-Bit says, "The only thing that keeps Darry from being a Soc is us" he means that Darry is not like the other Greasers. Darry keeps his hair short and clean unlike the Greasers who have their hair long and greasy. He doesn't act like the rest of the Greasers do. If it weren't for the gang Darry would be a Soc because he is smart, he doesn't get in trouble, he doesn't go out, and he doesn't rob places like the Greasers do. Even though Darry still has to work for a living, he could be a Soc. The only difference between Darry and the Socs is that the Socs are rich and don't have to work, and Darry doesn't have as much money and he has to work so he can provide for his family and the gang. If it weren't for the gang, Darry could be a Soc. But, does he really want to be one? Darry and the rest of the gang are always talking about how bad the Socs are. Just because he says that I'm not sure he would really want to be a Soc.


~ Good response. ~Mrs. Best